CVE-2026-11472 Overview
CVE-2026-11472 is a SQL injection vulnerability in SourceCodester Class and Exam Timetabling System 1.0. The flaw resides in the /index1.php script, where the Password parameter is concatenated into a SQL query without proper sanitization. An unauthenticated remote attacker can manipulate the parameter to alter the underlying query logic. The exploit has been publicly disclosed, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic abuse against exposed deployments. The weakness is tracked under CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component).
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can inject arbitrary SQL through the login form, potentially extracting credentials, bypassing authentication, or modifying database contents.
Affected Products
- SourceCodester Class and Exam Timetabling System 1.0
- The vulnerable file /index1.php (login handler)
- Deployments exposing the application to untrusted networks
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-08 - CVE-2026-11472 published to NVD
- 2026-06-08 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-11472
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a classic SQL injection in the authentication endpoint of the Class and Exam Timetabling System. The Password POST parameter submitted to /index1.php is incorporated directly into a SQL statement without parameterization or input validation. An attacker supplying SQL metacharacters in the Password field can break out of the intended string literal and append arbitrary clauses to the query.
Because the endpoint is the login page, exploitation requires no prior authentication. Network reachability to the web application is the only precondition. Public disclosure of the issue, including technical details on VulDB and GitHub, lowers the barrier to weaponization.
The scope is limited to the database accessible by the application's database user. However, in typical SourceCodester deployments this user has broad privileges over the application schema, enabling credential theft and authentication bypass.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of user-supplied input before its inclusion in a SQL query [CWE-74]. The /index1.php script constructs the authentication query using string concatenation rather than prepared statements with bound parameters.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and unauthenticated. An attacker sends a crafted HTTP POST request to /index1.php containing a malicious payload in the Password field. Payloads using boolean-based, union-based, or time-based techniques can extract data, bypass authentication, or enumerate the schema.
The vulnerability mechanism is described in the VulDB advisory for CVE-2026-11472 and the GitHub issue tracking this CVE. No verified proof-of-concept code is reproduced here; refer to the upstream advisories for technical specifics.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-11472
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP POST requests to /index1.php containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, SLEEP(, or comment sequences (--, #) in the Password parameter.
- Unexpected database errors or anomalous response sizes returned by /index1.php during authentication attempts.
- Repeated failed login attempts from a single source followed by a successful session, indicating possible authentication bypass.
Detection Strategies
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) signatures that flag SQL injection patterns targeting the Password field of login endpoints.
- Inspect web server access logs for requests to /index1.php containing URL-encoded SQL syntax such as %27, %20OR%20, or UNION.
- Correlate database query error logs with corresponding HTTP requests to identify probing attempts.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward web server, application, and database logs to a centralized analytics platform for cross-source correlation.
- Alert on outbound data volumes from the database host that exceed baseline thresholds following requests to /index1.php.
- Monitor for the creation of new administrative accounts or modifications to the users table outside normal change windows.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-11472
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the Class and Exam Timetabling System using firewall rules or VPN-only access until a fix is applied.
- Audit the database for unauthorized account creations, schema changes, or data exfiltration since deployment.
- Rotate all credentials stored in or accessible by the application database.
Patch Information
No vendor patch has been published at the time of the NVD entry. SourceCodester applications are commonly distributed as source code, and administrators are responsible for applying code-level fixes. Replace string concatenation in /index1.php with prepared statements using PDO or mysqli with bound parameters. Refer to the SourceCodester project page and the VulDB submission #833859 for tracking updates.
Workarounds
- Deploy a WAF rule that rejects requests to /index1.php containing SQL metacharacters in the Password parameter.
- Apply input validation at a reverse proxy layer to restrict the Password field to expected character sets and length.
- If the application is non-essential, take it offline until a code fix can be verified and deployed.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
